KISSMET

"Kissmet is a roller coaster ride of positive energy, from the West to the East and back again. "

Ron Singh

Kissmet is a UK based band that has taken Bhangra music (traditional Punjabi folk dance music from the fields of northern India) and fused it with Western Rock music, with influences from Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream.The result is a pulsating, exciting rollercoaster ride of positive energy from the West to the East and back again.

With songs in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Sanskrit, Kissmet creates a fantastic, interactive experience where the band engages with and involves the audience, uniting them and taking them on a wonderful mystical musical journey.They create a safe platform for all to stand upon, regardless of their creed, colour, culture, background, gender, age or religion.

The band has now performed all over the UK, in Mexico, Malaysia, Italy, Portugal, the Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the Azores, Ireland, Poland, Finland and Norway, to enthusiastic audiences who love the unique interaction and exposure to the new ways of the world.Everywhere they go, they spread the word that it matters not what language you sing in or the style of music you use.What’s most importance is the incredible vibe and energy that can be generated by making people of all faiths, backgrounds, colours and cultures work together to create something powerfully positive, infectious and memorable.Fusing Bhangra and Rock together, they’re making something new that has never been heard before and makes you want to hear again and again.

Kissmet gets an incredible reaction every time and the vibe, response and atmosphere created are nothing like that which you would get from any standard artist.Kissmet’s unique blend of the East and West is a perfect combination and the performances in the videos are just examples of the effect the band creates at every single show.

They have performed at over 200 International festivals including The Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia (voted one of the Top 25 Festivals on the Planet), Glastonbury (the UK’s largest festival), The Edinburgh Hogmanay (Europe’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations), The Ollinkan World Music Festival in Mexico, Ireland’s Festival of World Cultures, The World Village Festival in Finland, The Orange World Music Festival in Poland, The Electric Picnic (Ireland), Summer Sundae (UK), Cardiff Castle (Wales), Edinburgh Castle, Kelso Castle (Scotland) and many others.They have shared main stages with Kaiser Chiefs, Duffy, Nitin Sawhney, Manu Chao, Adnan Sami, Transglobal Underground, Asian Dub Foundation, The Dhol Foundation, Baka Beyond, Oojami, Ska Cubano and many others.

BIOGRAPHY

Kissmet is the vision of two Indian Sikh brothers, born and brought up within the multicultural melting pot of the UK with a very traditional Eastern upbringing in a very Western social environment.As children, their parents ran the local Indian cinema so, at home, they were learning all about Indian music but by day they were listening to western Rock music at school with their English friends.Subliminally, they were being bombarded with music from the East and West on a daily basis and there was no difference from listening to Mohammed Rafi and Fateh Ali Khan as there was to Genesis or The Police.Then, when it came to learning to play and writing their own songs, they realised that they could use elements from the East and West equally to make each song something very special.

This cross cultural inception coupled with the energy generated by Bhangra and Rock, meant the band had something spectacular and unique in their hands.Not only does the band have the ability to play Bhangra and Rock with Raags and Funk thrown in too, they also sing in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Sanskrit.That’s how they sound but another impact they have is their image.The three Indians are Brothers are traditional Sikhs who wear their Turbans with pride. The other musical brothers are Caucasian Westerners so not only is there a mix of languages and styles being performed, there’s a fantastic mix of colours, creeds and cultures on stage too, all working harmoniously to create that truly unique vision and sound.

Brothers Ron and Buzz Singh originated Kissmet in the latter part of the 20th century. Two UK born Sikh brothers, they had a strong allegiance to Bhangra but their eyes were looking further than that single shored horizon, across the seas to a new coast as yet not ventured to. Musicians in the Bhangra band, “Sabras” (which was signed to BMG Records), they took the passion and energy they grew up with in the UK Bhangra scene of the 90’s and started fusing Punjabi and English lyrics together, as well as Bhangra and Rock.

Ron said, “We were lucky to grow up in the multicultural part of the city.There was a complete mix of ethnic minorities living together in a friendly, peaceful, harmonious community.

“Our Dad and Uncle ran the local Indian cinema and our early years were spent gazing upon the classic Indian films, true timepieces of film history – films like Mother India, Heer Raanjha and Madhumati were our staple diet.Also, at home, we were listening to Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshka, Surinder and Prakash Kaur and the cream of Hindi and Punjabi music coming from India to the UK.When we went to school though, we were the only Indians in a school of over 1000 students so we were suddenly introduced to the Western musical scene.We kept listening to our Indian music at home but at school, we were finding out about Genesis, The Police, The Stranglers, Led Zeppelin and The Clash.As children, you don’t realise you’re taking in all these musical forms and languages, you just know that good music is good music, regardless of its origin.Then, during our teenage years, we started performing as musicians in a Bhangra band called Sabras.No singing then, just the odd backing vocal of Hoi, HOi, HOI and BROOOAHHH!That was an amazing time in our lives but we knew we could do so much more so we started writing our own jazzy, hiphop type material, using English and Punjabi.We recorded some songs and the reaction we received was so positive that we put a band together to play live, but this time with us singing as well as being musicians.We already knew that we wanted to rock things out so we found a cracking drummer (Thorin Dixon) and bass player (Marc Knight) and I called an old friend in on guitar (John Neville).Instantly, we knew we were onto something completely new and fresh.The English guys were bringing in their rock elements and Buzz and I (and now Max, our older brother, on Tabla) brought in our Bhangra vibe.It was amazing!

“We had a pretty clear vision of where we were taking the band but we were still experimenting with the overall sound.However, we knew that we’d found a formula that worked and it worked well.Bhangra is such a powerful musical form; it’s loud, it’s proud and it’s just made for people to dance to.Similarly, rock is just as loud and proud and it will move the souls of people with the hardest stone for a heart.Put the two musical forms together and it’s exponentially more powerful. “

Several years on and the band is going from strength to strength.The future will prove to be even bigger and, with a new album coming out (entitled “One People”), the band have set their sights on tours of Asia, Europe and the Americas.

“The world is catching up with us and we’re flying now.Keep up, if you can…”

Upcoming Gigs

Gallery

Ron manages the band, plays keys and sings too. He was brought up on Rafi and Lata but is into everything from The Rolling Stones to The Prodigy. "Kissmet lets me use flavours from the East and West to create something completely unique. No one can do this stuff unless they've lived as I've been lucky enough to live, with one foot on each side of the cultural line. As children, we lived in an area that was completely multicultural, so much so that we didn't even realise things like race, culture and colour were different. When everyone is so different, we are all the same and we can take people at face value. I love Kissmet because we try to challenge the perception of what Indian music 'should' be, or Indian people 'should' be. We like to think we are products of the world today and, as such, we have adapted, evolved and moved on to become people of the world and to enjoy life safe in the knowledge that we are being the best we can be and looking for lovely people to share the short time we have on the planet together. There are beautiful people everywhere and, when you meet them, it makes your world a much better place.

BUZZ SINGH

VOCALS & DHOL

The other founder member of the band, Buzz sings and plays the Indian percussion instruments, the Dhol and Dholak. His natural ability on his drums has now been matched by his singing voice that has come on in leaps and bounds since the early days of singing in the garage at home. "When we played in a bhangra band, me and Ron were musicians and the only singing we did was limited to backing vocals. But, I was learning all the time. Although our voices are completely different, the style and techniques are very similar. We were lucky really because we were playing Indian music but singing English songs so knew little bits and pieces about a whole lot but it wasn't until we sat back and looked at what we could do that we realised we might have something different in our hands. What a result! Kissmet's been a real release for me. I love my Dholak but there's lots more to me than just the drum." People have often commented on Buzz's singing but it's easy to forget how accomplished a percussion player he is. One of the best Dholak players in the country, his playing and singing are now on an equal par.

MAX SINGH

TABLA

The other brother of the three, Max, can be found behind his trusted Tablas. "In this band, it's more important for the Tabla to generate the groove, to give that eastern element and to give that feel that no other instrument can begin to even get close to. Tablas have the ability to speak and they can communicate with all other percussion effortlessly." Offering Tabla lessons to hardworking, committed students, Max is truly at home with his drums and has been instrumental in getting the cross between east and west on an even par.

ALEX KANE

BASS

Alex plays bass with the experience and ability of someone far greater in age and has excelled at locking down the bottom end of the band. An ultra chilled character, he loves every gig and can often be found sneaking in photographs on his camera in between songs. A very valued member of the crew, he has a massive presence on stage and has the Kissmet blood running through his veins.

LEWIS PARTRIDGE

DRUMS

Lewis, aka The Ninja Drummer, is famed for his groove, chilled persona and incredible drumming skills. Coming from a long line of musicians in the family, Lewis is a drum teacher by day but, by night, becomes the backbone of the Kissmet groove. He can effortlessly switch from swing to straight beats and really brings that added extra spice that is so vital in a band such as Kissmet. It wouldn't be the same without him.

BEN CLAPINSON

GUITAR

Ben may be the youngest in the band but his skills are extra ordinary. Classically trained, he brings and edge to the music with rip roaring solos, brilliantly timed chops and the fastest fingers in the West. The nicest guy on the planet, he has brought another dimension to the band and really knows how to put a song together.

MINAZ KASSAM

Videographer

Blood brothers of Ron, Buzz and Max - Minaz has now become a regular members of the team. Minaz is the Videographer, responsible for recording and archiving all the band's performances. He also runs a "behind the scenes" commentary and keeps the laughs coming when on the road. An essential part of the band, Min's role is vital to the future history of the crew.

STEVE SINGH

TEAM MORALE

Steve has become a regular member of the team. Steve is also one for keeping up morale. His energy outside of performances is essential when the band's on the long road between gigs. He is ALWAYS up for the laugh and is impossible to keep down.

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